WITH just two days to go until the Commonwealth Games get under way in Glasgow, it's an exciting time for the city and for fans everywhere - but some people are taking their enthusiasm to new heights.

Paula McGaw, 32

SUPPORT worker Paula McGaw is putting up the flags and bunting around her home, as her family get ready to celebrate the Games in style.

Paula, 32, and children Amy, 15, Jessica, 13 and Mitchell, nine, have been counting down the days to the sporting spectacular with a different Games event planned for every day.

The mum-of-three said: “We can’t wait for the Games to start.

“It will be an amazing atmosphere, I’m so excited.”

Paula’s son Mitchell managed to win tickets for the rhythmic gymnastics through his school – to his utter delight.

She said: “He’s been wearing his Commonwealth Games T-shirt every day and his medal the Lord Provost gave out to all the school children.

“He loves the Clyde mascot and his painting of Clyde is up and has pride of place on our wall.

“We believe in supporting the Games – it’s fantastic for Glasgow.

“We noticed on the official website there’s a Clyde trail, it’s a treasure hunt where you have to find the Clyde mascot hidden across the city, so we’re doing that.

“My wee boy is desperate to watch the cycling at the velodrome, he wants to be Chris Hoy when he’s bigger.

“Our plan is to go out in the streets and cheer on the athletes, the cyclists and runners when they go by.

“And we’re hoping to go down to the Clyde and see the boats racing.”

Paula’s delighted there are so many free events across the city, so that she and her kids can soak up the buzzing atmosphere.

She said: “We will go to something different every day. We have tickets for the River City Commonwealth Games special episode at the BBC and we’re going to events at Glasgow Green.

“Mitchell’s already been to see the Clyde mascot made out of flowers at Kelvingrove. He loved that.

“My mum’s taking the kids to see the Baton Relay in Queen’s Park.

“Then we’ll all be at the gymnastics final, which should be amazing.”

Bobby Pollock, 58

BOBBY Pollock, 58, can barely wait for the Games to start. For the dad-of-two, it’s a once-in-a lifetime opportunity.

He said: “All I can think is, ‘wow, this is going to be unbelievable’.

“I remember sitting in my office having lunch seven years ago when they announced Glasgow would host the Games in 2014 and I was delighted.

“I said, ‘That’s me, I’m putting in my application to be a volunteer’.

“I can’t take in how big this event is.”

Bobby, who lives in the southside of Glasgow with wife Jill, will help carry the Queen’s Baton through Castlemilk as it completes its final journey to the Games arena.

Victoria Stewart/Daily Record

Volunteer Bobby Pollock

He said: “My sons nominated me for doing 30 years of voluntary work.

“I’m carrying the baton at 8am and I was worried nobody would come out, but I went out there the other day and they’re having a huge party in the community centre.

“I took some of their leaflets advertising the bash and handed them out in the local shops and McDonald’s to make sure that people are lining the streets.

“I know it will go by in a flash, but I’m absolutely so proud.”

Bobby’s youngest son, Ross, 23, is going to be a Clydesider at the Games, while Bobby will be a host city volunteer for Glasgow Life.

He said: “I’ll be based in the city centre welcoming tourists to Glasgow.

“I got my uniform last week and I’ll be working five-hour shifts over eight of the 11 days. I’m pushing for more shifts.”

Bobby will be going to the closing ceremony with his family, he’s managed to get tickets for the dress rehearsal of the opening ceremony and will also be at the boxing finals. He added: “I was lucky enough to get tickets for the last night of the boxing.

“I’m taking my son’s girlfriend and her father, who has been seriously ill recently, so it’s nice for him to get there.

“I had actually put £500 aside and applied the first time around for tickets but couldn’t get any.

“I am unbelievably excited. I worked as a volunteer at the Olympic Games for the football at Hampden and it was incredible.

“This will be even better, as the whole thing is happening here.

“It’s just going to be non-stop, total excitement.”

Make the most of the fun with our survival guide

GLASGOW’S big moment is almost upon us and commuters and ticketholders are being asked to play their part and plan ahead.

Organisers expect rail services to be busier than usual and are urging passengers to think about travelling earlier or later.

Some bus routes will be diverted during the Games and there is no parking at or near each venue, except for wheelchair users and blue badge holders.

The new Games Route Network is in full operation from today and runs from the east of the city to the southside and out to venues in the west.

It’s open to all traffic with the exception of the Games Lanes, which will operate like bus lanes dedicated to official Games travel. Drivers using the Games Lanes without authorisation could face
a fine.

For ticketholders, most Glasgow venues are within walking and cycling distance of the city centre and Clydesiders – Games volunteers – will be on hand to advise on the best routes. Additional cycle parking is also available at venues.

Ticketholders can use local public transport within the Games Zone when travelling to and from events by showing their Games tickets.

Additional Games shuttle buses will run from Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station to Celtic Park, Hampden Park, Ibrox and from Stockwell Street to Cathkin Braes.

Organisers are encouraging those travelling to the Games to use the bookable park-and-ride services for Celtic Park (for Wednesday’s opening ceremony), Hampden, Ibrox, Strathclyde Country Park and Cathkin Braes.